Town wants to raise beach fees

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) - Officials in one coastal Rhode Island community want to raise beach parking fees for out-of-state visitors to boost revenue during tough economic times.

The Westerly Sun reports that Westerly Town Council members are expected to ask the community’s state lawmakers to submit legislation that would direct the state Department of Environmental Management to raise the state beach parking fee for non-residents to $20 per day, from the current $14 per day.

The measure was proposed by Councilor Caswell Cooke Jr., who says because some of the beach fees go to the state, and some are retained by the town, both would benefit.

Some councilors questioned whether the proposed fee hike was too large.